With the tremendous support of the community, The Matthew Gfeller Foundation continues to invest in projects, advocacy and fundraising events that positively impact the safety of young athletes.

“The Matthew Gfeller Foundation is funding vital research for children that may suffer from sports-related traumatic brain injuries,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing and co-founder of the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. “Bob and Lisa Gfeller have turned their family’s tragedy into a way to save the lives of injured kids, and the Childress Institute will honor Matt’s legacy and the Gfeller’s mission with these funds.”

Created by three of Matt’s best friends, Camden Francis, John Lineberger and Thomas Keshian, the Matt Gfeller Memorial Doughnut Run is a lighthearted 5K run/walk for the entire community. On October 13, 2012, over 800 participants came again to celebrate the spirit of Matthew, eat lots of doughnuts and raise money for concussion research. The Foundation plans to host the 5th Matt Gfeller Memorial Doughnut Run this fall.

Lisa and Bob Gfeller will also attend the Youth Sports Safety Summit convened by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) on February 5-6. This Summit focuses on injury trends in youth sports and finalizing a National Action Plan and Student Athlete’s Bill of Rights to deliver to Congress. The Gfeller-Waller Concussion Act was signed into NC law in June 2011. North Carolina schools are now required to have an emergency action plan in place and a doctor or certified athletic trainer must give consent for the student to return to play.

On March 8-9, 2013, The Matthew Gfeller Center at UNC-CH will host the Second Biannual Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Neurotrauma Symposium in the BlueZone at Kenan Football Stadium. All Forsyth County Athletic Trainers are being sponsored by the Matthew Gfeller Foundation to attend this conference. The symposium will provide physicians, athletic trainers and therapists, and other allied health care professionals with a comprehensive overview of sport-related neurotraumatic injuries.

About The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma
The Childress Institute is working to save injured children’s lives through research, education and awareness, as well as help them recover quickly. Serious injury is the No. 1 killer of kids in America – more than 12,000 children die each year and more than 100,000 survive with some form of a disability. The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center was established through the generosity of Richard and Judy Childress. For more information, please visit www.InjuredKids.org.

About The Matthew Gfeller Foundation
On August 22, 2008 Matthew, age 15, suffered a severe helmet to helmet collision during his first varsity football game at Reynolds High School. The accident caused a fatal traumatic brain injury and he died two days later on Sunday, August 24, 2008. The Matthew Gfeller Foundation is a non-profit public charity that invests in projects that aid in the prevention, recognition and treatment of sports-related traumatic brain injuries. www.matthewgfellerfoundation.org.

About Donations
$10.00 donation to Wake Forest University Health Sciences benefitting the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. Charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Must be 18 years of age or have parental permission to participate. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 80077 to STOP. Text HELP to 80077 for HELP. Full Terms: www.mGive.org/T. www.mGive.org/Privacy.aspx